Overview

Reviews (9)

I'm a fiction writer and editor who has published three New York Times Notable Books of The Year (two novels and a memoir), won a National Endowment for the Arts Fellowship and been helping other writers improve their work for over a decade. I bring to the table a deep understanding of the writing process—writing blocks, confusion about what the story is or could be, and indecision about choices. I know that helpful criticism requires both honesty and kindness, as well as a profound appreciation of how stories and language work.

I work with writers of any genre and at all stages of their career. I offer creative, in-depth story analysis, with suggestions based on the intent of the manuscript and your strengths; support and advice on how to improve your writing in general. The service generally includes extensive comments on the manuscript and a several-page critique, but I can work with your needs and your budget to give you exactly what you want.

Portfolio (14 selected works)

Named a Best Book of the Year by NPR * Nylon * Kirkus Reviews * Bustle * BookPage “Moving and beautifully written.” — Entertainment Weekly “[Alyan is] a master.” — Los Angeles Review of Books On the eve of her daughter Alia’s wedding, Salma reads the girl’s future in a cup of coffee dregs. She sees an unsettled life for Alia and her children; she also sees travel and luck. While she chooses to... read more

Named a Best Book of the Year by NPR * Nylon * Kirkus Reviews * Bustle * BookPage “Moving and beautifully written.” — Entertainment Weekly “[Alyan is] a master.” — Los Angeles Review of Books On the eve of her daughter Alia’s wedding, Salma reads the girl’s future in a cup of coffee dregs. She sees an unsettled life for Alia and her children; she also sees travel and luck. While she chooses to... read more

Hatching Charlie takes you on the life trajectory of one talented psychotherapist, who with incredible candor, humor, spice, and self-reflection tells of the challenging pursuit of happiness and a personally meaningful life. McCormack details a lonely youth of disrupted attachments, and we agonize with him through an excruciating banishment, at age 11, to a boarding school in France where sadi... read more

Hatching Charlie takes you on the life trajectory of one talented psychotherapist, who with incredible candor, humor, spice, and self-reflection tells of the challenging pursuit of happiness and a personally meaningful life. McCormack details a lonely youth of disrupted attachments, and we agonize with him through an excruciating banishment, at age 11, to a boarding school in France where sadi... read more

The Stuttering Jock’s Opera is a thinly disguised hero’s journey—complete with three challenges. The lead character is physically reckless, but socially shy because of his halting speech. He trains in the early morning, works temporary clerical jobs during the day, and grapples with an English libretto to a neglected German opera in the evening. A victory celebration in a San Francisco Chinato... read more

The Stuttering Jock’s Opera is a thinly disguised hero’s journey—complete with three challenges. The lead character is physically reckless, but socially shy because of his halting speech. He trains in the early morning, works temporary clerical jobs during the day, and grapples with an English libretto to a neglected German opera in the evening. A victory celebration in a San Francisco Chinato... read more

From Vampire to Beast…When Ruxandra wakes in the castle of Countess Elizabeth Bathory, she has no memory of her past and a terrible alter ego created from years of hunger: the Beast.Elizabeth Bathory promises to help Ruxandra rediscover herself and help control the Beast, in exchange for obedience while she stays with her.Now Ruxandra must face both her past and the Beast within if she is to t... read more

From Vampire to Beast…When Ruxandra wakes in the castle of Countess Elizabeth Bathory, she has no memory of her past and a terrible alter ego created from years of hunger: the Beast.Elizabeth Bathory promises to help Ruxandra rediscover herself and help control the Beast, in exchange for obedience while she stays with her.Now Ruxandra must face both her past and the Beast within if she is to t... read more

When three members of the Trudeau Research Center scientific team are murdered at the onset of an arctic winter, epidemiologist Jessica Hanley finds her investigation intersecting with the secret mission of a decorated admiral from Moscow, who has been assigned to locate a missing submarine. Reprint. 50,000 first printing.

When three members of the Trudeau Research Center scientific team are murdered at the onset of an arctic winter, epidemiologist Jessica Hanley finds her investigation intersecting with the secret mission of a decorated admiral from Moscow, who has been assigned to locate a missing submarine. Reprint. 50,000 first printing.

In Riding with the Wind, Fay Hoh Yin paints an indelible portrait of three generations of her family in China as the imperial era ends and war with Japan begins. Her parents are among the first young people to escape the archaic traditions of foot binding and arranged marriage, then use their newfound freedom to study in the West. They return home in the early 1920s to become pioneering educat... read more

In Riding with the Wind, Fay Hoh Yin paints an indelible portrait of three generations of her family in China as the imperial era ends and war with Japan begins. Her parents are among the first young people to escape the archaic traditions of foot binding and arranged marriage, then use their newfound freedom to study in the West. They return home in the early 1920s to become pioneering educat... read more

Beautiful, talented Stella James explores the heady power of her own sexuality by seeking out anonymous sexual encounters. Though the men may long to see her again, by dawn Stella is always gone. She revels in the intensity and honesty of her encounters and delights in the discoveries she makes about men and herself.

Beautiful, talented Stella James explores the heady power of her own sexuality by seeking out anonymous sexual encounters. Though the men may long to see her again, by dawn Stella is always gone. She revels in the intensity and honesty of her encounters and delights in the discoveries she makes about men and herself.

Born into a privileged life in London during the Regency era, all that is required of Georgiana Wyndham is to live a life of virtue and obedience. She fails at both when her father abuses her. Headstrong and high-spirited, though crippled by his severe beating, she remains strong and refuses to allow him to crush her indomitable will. When her father threatens those she loves, Georgiana knows ... read more

Born into a privileged life in London during the Regency era, all that is required of Georgiana Wyndham is to live a life of virtue and obedience. She fails at both when her father abuses her. Headstrong and high-spirited, though crippled by his severe beating, she remains strong and refuses to allow him to crush her indomitable will. When her father threatens those she loves, Georgiana knows ... read more

In 1968, Mike Kelly's chopper is shot down over the jungles of Vietnam. The crew is dead. Most of his team is dead and the enemy is near. Today it is 2004, and Mike is a successful author who writes for the daily newspaper. He lives in a big house on the lake with his wife, Claire, college aged daughter, Madie and 18 year old son, Mick. Not all is well in the Kelly home. Mike is haunted by Vie... read more

In 1968, Mike Kelly's chopper is shot down over the jungles of Vietnam. The crew is dead. Most of his team is dead and the enemy is near. Today it is 2004, and Mike is a successful author who writes for the daily newspaper. He lives in a big house on the lake with his wife, Claire, college aged daughter, Madie and 18 year old son, Mick. Not all is well in the Kelly home. Mike is haunted by Vie... read more

Georgina's new found love is put to the test in the stunning sequel to Louise Franklin's novel Ravenstone. In this second book in the spellbinding Ravenstone Chronicles series, author Louise Franklin combines a regency setting and adventure to create a love story as perilous as it is unforgettable.Georgiana Fairchild is leading a double life. By day, she is the genteel wife of Edward Fairchild... read more

Georgina's new found love is put to the test in the stunning sequel to Louise Franklin's novel Ravenstone. In this second book in the spellbinding Ravenstone Chronicles series, author Louise Franklin combines a regency setting and adventure to create a love story as perilous as it is unforgettable.Georgiana Fairchild is leading a double life. By day, she is the genteel wife of Edward Fairchild... read more

In this debut novel from Gustaf Berger, a journalist whose fireman father died on 9/11 pursues a couple of slick scammers who benefited from the disaster. On the morning of 9/11,Ted misses his appointment at the World Trade Center to shack-up with his girlfriend. When he calls his business partner to let him know he’s still alive, Sal reminds him of their five million dollar partners insurance... read more

In this debut novel from Gustaf Berger, a journalist whose fireman father died on 9/11 pursues a couple of slick scammers who benefited from the disaster. On the morning of 9/11,Ted misses his appointment at the World Trade Center to shack-up with his girlfriend. When he calls his business partner to let him know he’s still alive, Sal reminds him of their five million dollar partners insurance... read more

Emily Fenner, an aspirant Broadway star, hopes to find all of her dreams in the big city and flashing lights. With beauty, talent, and an irrepressible desire to succeed, Emily is in the perfect position to take hold of the career she’s always wanted—until stirring emotions both from and toward her manager complicate everything.Lost in the fame, secrets, lies, and lust of New York City’s high-... read more

Emily Fenner, an aspirant Broadway star, hopes to find all of her dreams in the big city and flashing lights. With beauty, talent, and an irrepressible desire to succeed, Emily is in the perfect position to take hold of the career she’s always wanted—until stirring emotions both from and toward her manager complicate everything.Lost in the fame, secrets, lies, and lust of New York City’s high-... read more

Every year, Kinga and his classmates wait for the black-necked cranes to return to the kingdom of Bhutan. The birds fly south over the highest mountains in the word to winter in the valley where Kinga lives, deep in the Himalayas. The cranes have been visiting the valley since ancient times, but every year, fewer cranes return. Kinga is concerned. "What can he do?," he wonders. He and his clas... read more

Every year, Kinga and his classmates wait for the black-necked cranes to return to the kingdom of Bhutan. The birds fly south over the highest mountains in the word to winter in the valley where Kinga lives, deep in the Himalayas. The cranes have been visiting the valley since ancient times, but every year, fewer cranes return. Kinga is concerned. "What can he do?," he wonders. He and his clas... read more

Margaret has 9 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Communication

Margaret was wonderful to work with. She has provided valuable feedback and guidance to challenge me and push my writing forward. I would definitely work with her again.

Thanks, Adira. I enjoyed working on your memoir and look forward to a continuing relationship.

Reply from Margaret Diehl

From day one Margaret Diehl exceeded my expectations. Her primary concern was what kind of editorial input would benefit my project the most at its courant stage. She thought I should start with an Editorial Assessment and I am glad I took her advise. It was quite clear from her five pages of critique and high lighted notes that she had thoroughly read my work and more importantly gave me ...

In searching for the perfect editor to collaborate with, first I sought a connection, someone who could guide me especially in areas that I felt lacking.
Since I was writing a memoir, I was drawn to editor, Margaret Diehl, who had written one herself, The Boy on the Green Bicycle.
I purchased her book and was quickly immersed in her beautifully written childhood. (When I hear ice cubes rattl...

Thanks, Jelaine! It was great working with you. I appreciate your words about my memoir.

Reply from Margaret Diehl

Margaret is thoughtful, skilled, and incisive. Hire her. She began work on time and delivered, on time, a deeply analytical 15-page report and a manuscript tattooed with hundreds of valuable track changes.
How stressful it was, to send my perfect, precious literary masterpiece out to a professional developmental editor. The horror was that Margaret might find flaws and puncture my ego. What I ...

I couldn't have asked for a sharper or more insightful editor than Margaret. Her skill as an editor is extraordinary, both on the micro- and macro-level. But what impressed me most about her assessment of my manuscript was how deeply she considered the project as a whole, before presenting her feedback to me, in the form of a detailed editorial letter.
I had the sense that she really *sat* wi...